Spare Wheel Lock Stuck

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

Hi all - I've searched but haven't been able to find an answer yet so hoping that someone can help.

I am a new owner of a 120 series Prado and we are going away next week so thought I'd drop the cover off the spare and just make sure everything is ok. Well trouble is that I can't seem to get the locking mechanism off the nut so before I start bashing away I thought I'd ask if anyone has any suggestions. I've used some WD40 but still no movement - I think it's supposed to insert the key and it just spins anyway if you try to turn it.

TIA!

[Guest Close Guest]

Insert key and pull. No need to spin, stand on one leg, etc

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

lol thanks. I will give that another go in the morning and at least I know what it's supposed to do now! Cheers

[Guest Close Guest]

You're not the only one.

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

How did you go with this?

The only issue I have is when the key will not go in due to dirt/dust getting into the key hole but a good dose of INOX always does the trick.

As others have said put key in and pull the whole lock off.

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

WD40 also works.

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

Well on the plus side I don't feel like an idiot but on the down side it doesn't work. I've drenched it with WD40 but will do another dose and give it another try later. Key goes in and nothing. I haven't tried tapping the key in as I don't really want to get it stuck lol.

Is there any trick where I should give it a tap with the key in or is it possible that it's a different key to the ignition (i.e. the previous owner has replaced it and it's not keyed to the same as the ignition anymore) although I've read that it's relatively generic anyway? Failing that any recommendations on how to remove it with a hammer?

I don't care about the lock and we're going away for a few days at the end of the week so want to be able to change a tyre if necessary .

TIA!

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

the previous owner has replaced it and it's not keyed to the same as the ignition anymore) although I've read that it's relatively generic anyway?

In the 90 series its just the last 5mm or so of the key that unlocks the locking mechanism, I presume its the same on the 120 series, so your ignition key should work even if the lock has been replaced. Mines been stuck a couple of times, there are 3 or 4 little pins that lock onto the wheel nut and I think if they get dirty they wont disengage properly so the lock wont come off. Each time mines been stuck I've had to stand there and jiggle the key from side to side and pull it in and out and eventually its come off. Not much help I know, but its worked for me. If you do put the lock back on make sure you don't use a lubricant that's going to add to the problem by attracting more dirt.

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

OK - now see where you are coming from. I had a flat tyre and couldn't get it off. NRMA came toi the rescue using WD40 and then a fair bit of jiggling and pulling. Once off didn't put it back on again until I had it rebuilt by a locksmith - can't remember what it cost - about $40 I think. Has work perfectly since.

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

Well 2 more doses of WD40 and lots of standing behind jiggling the keys - I'm not sure what the neighbours must think lol - and still nothing. It's got one more chance tomorrow and then it's going to have to be persuaded by the hammer I think!

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

Well 2 more doses of WD40 and lots of standing behind jiggling the keys - I'm not sure what the neighbours must think lol - and still nothing. It's got one more chance tomorrow and then it's going to have to be persuaded by the hammer I think!

Mine has a different key to the ignition, maybe the previous owner didn't give you all the keys or lost one?

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

Mine has a different key to the ignition, maybe the previous owner didn't give you all the keys or lost one?

I checked with the guy today and he said it was the same key...although by the sounds of it I'm not sure the spare has been removed in the last 5 years.

There is a dealership just up the road from me so I will give them a try in the morning...otherwise it's down to the hammer I think.

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

I checked with the guy today and he said it was the same key...although by the sounds of it I'm not sure the spare has been removed in the last 5 years.

There is a dealership just up the road from me so I will give them a try in the morning...otherwise it's down to the hammer I think.

Mine's definitely a different key

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

Mine's definitely a different key
[ATTACH=CONFIG]23754[/ATTACH]

Mine is not - the 2008 120 uses the ignition key.

[proteus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close proteus]

Well in typical style...so I ended up going to the dealership this morning and they didn't have a magic key and couldn't fit it in the workshop to force it off for a few days (I leave tomorrow for our trip) but they were helpful in explaining how to drill it off myself. Great I thought so got home and thought one more try...chuck the key in and boom off it comes! Ultimately not sure if it was the WD40, silicone spray or the threat of being drilled . Thanks for everyones comments tho. Oh and for me it was the same key as the ignition. Cheers.